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Species Selectivity

Modifications to traditional fishing gear offer great potential for fishermen to increase their ability to catch the right amount of the right fish as efficiently as possible. We engage with the fishing industry to investigate and test a variety of equipment innovations aimed at improving catch selectivity.

From high-tech underwater sensors that indicate when the net is at optimal capacity, to net mesh sizes and shapes that keep target fish in and unwanted species out, to electronic trip monitoring systems that help fisherman record and report their catch, we work in partnership with fishermen to test all types of gear innovations and to evaluate results. Our work has demonstrated significant gear improvements that save on operational costs and reduce the catch of unwanted species.